Slaley, Northumberland

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}

{{infobox UK place|

|country = England

|official_name= Slaley

|coordinates = {{coord|54.914|-2.037|display=inline,title}}

|population = 711

|population_ref=(2011){{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11128571&c=NE47+0AA&d=16&e=62&g=6453526&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1435835058200&enc=1|title=Parish population 2011|accessdate=2 July 2015}}

|unitary_england= Northumberland

|lieutenancy_england= Northumberland

|region= North East England

|constituency_westminster= Hexham

|post_town= HEXHAM

|postcode_district = NE47

|postcode_area= NE

|dial_code= 01434

|os_grid_reference= NY977577

}}

Slaley is a village in Northumberland, England. It is situated to the southeast of Hexham. It is surrounded by the following villages: Ruffside, Whitley Chapel, Ordley, Wooley, Healey, Juniper, Riding Lea, and Blanchland.{{Cite web|title=The village of Slaley (Northumberland) in the county of Northumberland|url=https://www.streetlist.co.uk/places/northumberland/slaley-(northumberland)|access-date=2020-06-26|website=www.streetlist.co.uk}}

The parish church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. The present church dates from 1832 (with extensive repairs in 1907-8) and was designed by Milton Carr. It stands on the site of an earlier church built in 1312, and that church was built on an earlier church mentioned in 1239 when Gilbert de Sclaueley gave the church and some lands to the prior of Hexham.{{Cite web|title=Slaley, St Mary the Virgin – The Moorland Group of churches|url=http://moorland-group.org.uk/the-moorland-group/slaley/|access-date=2021-07-10|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=CHURCH OF ST MARY, Slaley - 1045284 {{!}} Historic England|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1045284|access-date=2021-07-10|website=historicengland.org.uk|language=en}}{{Cite book|last=Bateson|first=Edward|title=A history of Northumberland|year=1893|pages=349, 379–384}}{{Cite journal|last=Johnson|first=A.|date=1893|title=Slaley|journal=Archaeologia Aeliana|volume=15|pages=339–46}}

The nearby hamlet of Shield Hall has the remains of a medieval unfortified house (late 13th/early 14th century). It has been incorporated into the early 19th century farmhouse.{{Cite web|title=WING OF MEDIEVAL HOUSE AND ADJACENT LATER OUTBUILDINGS, Slaley - 1302809 {{!}} Historic England|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1302809|access-date=2021-07-10|website=historicengland.org.uk|language=en}} {{Cite book|last=Bateson|first=Edward|title=A history of Northumberland|year=1893|pages=368–371}}

The nearby hamlet of Dukesfield is mentioned in 1256 as the scene of a murder. The area was part of the barony of Bolbec. In 1834 lead mining and smelting began.{{Cite book|last=Bateson|first=Edward|title=A history of Northumberland|year=1893|pages=370–73}} Dukefield Hall is a listed building.{{Cite web|title=THE HALL, Hexhamshire - 1302821 {{!}} Historic England|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1302821|access-date=2021-07-10|website=historicengland.org.uk|language=en}}

File:St Marys Church Slaley 2 (Nigel Coates).jpg

To the north of the village there is a disused nuclear bunker. The bunker was opened in 1961 and closed 1991.{{cite web|url=http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/aviation/airfields/roc/|title=Sites And Locations Of UK Royal Observer Corps Posts|work=|year=2010|accessdate=2010-11-14}}

The only public transport is the twice daily 689 bus service (three times Saturday) between Consett and Hexham via Whittonstall and Ebchester, also calling in at nearby Slaley Hall.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/GNE/689|title=Tynedale Links 689 - Hexham to Consett|website=www.gonortheast.co.uk}}